Plymouth Community Renewal Center continues to help Louisville childrenFor nearly a century, the Plymouth Community Renewal Center has served as the heart and soul of Louisville's Russell neighborhood.Mobile VideoThe Plymouth Community Renewal Center is located at 17th and Chestnut streets in downtown Louisville. Officials there are hoping to prove that something as simple as a garden can have a meaningful impact on kids.Since the age of 6, Datonio McDonald has relied on the Plymouth Community Renewal Center.Now at 23, McDonald doesn't need the center to help with basic needs, but he does stop by a few times a week to check in and help out.One day when he stopped in, the Kentucky Harvest truck was delivering critical donations of canned and perishable food.The center’s food pantry serves hundreds.Markham French is the executive director at Plymouth.From parenting classes and community service opportunities, French oversees a lengthy list of programs that serve those in need.He's especially proud of the younger generation that frequents the center -- group called junior counselors.“When our kids turn 13, we give them a job as a junior counselor and then they do service projects throughout the year,” French said.One of French's favorite teaching tools is his garden.“We've got tomato plants, jalapeno plants, peppers, bell peppers, banana peppers, cucumbers, squash,” French said.French's dream is to one day obtain vacant lots to be used as an urban agricultural project.He's hoping to teach the kids through social enterprise.By carefully tending to and then selling the homegrown produce, they can learn valuable life lessons.“(It lets) them know it's not rocket science, it's not difficult. It's actually a joy to watch it grow,” French said.The Plymouth Center serves the Russell neighborhood and many in the surrounding metro area. More than 400 people are enrolled in the food pantry program.Click here for more information

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Plymouth Community Renewal Center continues to help Louisville childrenFor nearly a century, the Plymouth Community Renewal Center has served as the heart and soul of Louisville's Russell neighborhood.

The Plymouth Community Renewal Center is located at 17th and Chestnut streets in downtown Louisville. Officials there are hoping to prove that something as simple as a garden can have a meaningful impact on kids.

Since the age of 6, Datonio McDonald has relied on the Plymouth Community Renewal Center.

Now at 23, McDonald doesn't need the center to help with basic needs, but he does stop by a few times a week to check in and help out.

One day when he stopped in, the Kentucky Harvest truck was delivering critical donations of canned and perishable food.

The center’s food pantry serves hundreds.

Markham French is the executive director at Plymouth.

From parenting classes and community service opportunities, French oversees a lengthy list of programs that serve those in need.

He's especially proud of the younger generation that frequents the center -- group called junior counselors.

“When our kids turn 13, we give them a job as a junior counselor and then they do service projects throughout the year,” French said.